The Silent Film Era ( ) The Porfiriato made it possible for projectors and films to arrive from Europe to Mexico The early cinema not only enabled audiences to see real life views of foreign countries, but it also better acquainted them with their own societies The years between 1915 and 1923 have been termed the “Golden Age” of the Mexican silent cinema

The Coming of Sound ( ) The movies produced by Mexican studios in these years reflected a variety of societal, cultural, and political concerns Foreign influences also played a major role in the development of the Mexican film industry Hollywood production of Spanish language films

Growth of the Film Industry Cine de Oro (Golden Cinema) “God, nation, and home” were very important components of Mexican cinema Mario Moreno “Cantiflas” & German Valdez “Tin – Tan” Los Tres Gallos (The Three Mexican Roosters) Maria Felix “La Doña” Dolores Del Rio

Mario Moreno “Cantinflas” ( ) German Valdez “Tin-Tan” ( )

Los Tres Gallos = The Three Mexican Roosters Jorge Negrete ( ) Pedro Infante ( ) Javier Solis ( )

Maria Felix “La Doña” ( )Dolores Del Rio ( )

Muy Malo by Diego Rivera, ca “People always praised my beauty and intelligence, but I’m just a woman with a man’s heart” – Maria Felix

Decline & Commercialism ( ) During the decades of the 1950s and 1960s, Mexicans turned away from Mexican cinema to North American and foreign films Mexican films were shown in second-class theaters (cines de segunda) while 80% of screen time was given to North American cinema El Santo (The Saint) aka – El Enmascarado de Plata (The Silver Masked Man)

Contemporary Mexican Cinema ( s) During Echeverria’s presidency,he implemented a law that pressured screening of national films in first class movie theaters (cines de primera) Three (3) issues that were still taboo on screen were: religion, military, and you could not criticize the president or his cabinet Lola la Trailera (Lola the Truck Driver) – 1985 India Maria (1970s –1980s) Like Water for Chocolate (1992) Sexo, Pudor, y Lagrimas (Sex, Shame, & Tears)

Mexican Cinema (2000 – Present) Films are edgier and openly criticize and or depict the nation’s political, economic, and social conditions Box office triumphs in Mexico, United States, and Europe International Recognition Many are produced privately Amores Perros (Loves a Bitch) – 2000 Y Tu Mama Tambien